PGA TOUR FOLLOWS SUIT, SUPPORTS UPCOMING ANCHORED PUTTING BAN

The PGA Tour has little interest in becoming its own rule-making body, and on Monday it announced that it would impose on its players the ban on anchored putting strokes that is set to be in place in January 2016.

PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem initially said in February he hoped the U.S. Golf Association and Royal & Ancient would rescind the ban, but when that did not happen the tour’s Policy Board saw little to gain in opposing the use of putters that allow players to anchor the handle against their body.

The Policy Board made its decision at a meeting at the Greenbrier Classic.

“In making its decision, the Policy Board recognized that there are still varying opinions among our membership, but ultimately concluded that while it is an important issue, a ban on anchored strokes would not fundamentally affect a strong presentation of our competitions or the overall success of the PGA Tour,” Finchem said in a statement. “The Board also was of the opinion that having a single set of rules on acceptable strokes applicable to all professional competitions worldwide was desirable and would avoid confusion.”

Four of the last seven major champions have used an anchored putting stroke and at least nine players have hired a Boston-based attorney to seek advice on possible legal action if the ban was implemented by the tour.